Veliki Preslav — Bulgaria's second capital

The new capital soon became a major cultural centre, as the Preslav Literary School was opened here, and its fame resounded not only in Bulgaria but in neighbouring countries as well.

Preslav soon turned into one of the most beautiful cities in south-eastern Europe. Its beauty rivalled that of Constantinople. The outer city was surrounded by white stone walls, and its inner layout resembled the first Bulgarian capital, Pliska. The inner part of the city housed the royal palace, the throne hall and the Round Church, renowned for its rich decoration. Unlike most medieval European cities, Preslav had water supply and sewerage systems

In 970 the Prince of Kiev conquered the city; a little later the Byzantines settled in Preslav: they held the city throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, and then, after the revival of the Bulgarian state, Preslav was once again turned into a Bulgarian fortress.

A trip to Preslav

Modern-day Preslav lies roughly halfway between two regional centres — Shumen (20 km away) and Targovishte (25 km away). It is the third largest town in Shumen Province. From Shumen you can reach the medieval capital by bus or minibus.

It is home to a large historical and archaeological reserve and museum, which are among the hundred most important Bulgarian tourist sites.

• The ruins of the old city have been partly restored so that visitors can take in the grandeur of the second capital of Danube Bulgaria.
• From April to November the museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 5 p.m. at weekends). In the winter season the museum can be visited on weekdays until 5 p.m., and at weekends by prior arrangement.
• Adults pay 5 leva for admission, pensioners 3 leva, people with disabilities 1 lev, schoolchildren and students 2 leva each, and a family ticket costs 10 lv. A guide for a group costs 8 leva (a tour of the museum), while a tour of the reserve (by prior arrangement) costs 10 leva.
• Photography is not allowed in some of the museum halls, and the use of a video camera is prohibited throughout the museum.
• Visitors are offered electronic guides in Bulgarian, English, German and French.
• The museum entrance is on the eastern side of the reserve, where there is also a car park for visitors.
• There are plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby; the tourist infrastructure here is surprisingly well developed.

Ustra Fortress

Pliska: the cradle of Bulgarian statehood

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